Automobile foot rail



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, R. l. GRAF AUTOMOBILE FOOT RAIL Nov. 5

Filed Oct. 29

INVENTOR. Raymond [Van Gra ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 6, 1923.

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RAYMOND IVAN GRAF, OF GRAND RAPIDS, IVIICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO KEELER BRASS COMPANY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

AUTOMOBILE FOOT RAIL.

Application filed October 29, 1920. Serial No. 420,376.

T all to hom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RAYMOND IVAN GRAB, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, county of Kent, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automobile Foot Rails, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in foot rails.

The main object of this invention is to provide an improved foot rail for automobiles and the like which is formed of very light material and at the same time is strong 1 and rigid.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is the preferred em bodiment of my invention is clearly illus- M trated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. I is a plan view of my improved foot rail partially broken away.

Fig. II is an end elevation thereof.

F'ig. III is an enlarged detail elevation of one of the brackets showing the structural features thereof.

FigfIV is a detail longitudinal section on a line corresponding to line et4. of Figs. I and II.

Fig. V is a detail perspective view of the rail showing structural details thereof.

Fig. VI is a detail end elevation of a slightly modified structure.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referringtothe drawing',I provide a pair of plate like sheet metal end brackets I having flanges 2 on their lower edges providing feet. The brackets are pivoted at 3 to the attaching members 4 having holes 5 for attaching screws. The brackets have a plurality of segmental annularly disposed slots 6 at their outer ends.

The foot rail 7 is a piece of relatively thin tubing and has longitudinal slots 8 in the ends thereof, tongues 9 being disposed through the slots 6 and folded or clamped upon theoutersides of the bracket members as shown in Fig. IV. This provides a secure and rigid connection for the rail to the brackets, and one which can be readily made as the tongues are upset by machinery.

In Fig. VI the ends 10 of the tonguesare tapered, the tongues being of such length that they fold together as shown. The embodiment shown in Figs. I to V, however, is very satisfactory.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a foot rail, the combination of the plate-like sheet metal end brackets flanged at their lower edges to provide feet, and having segmental annularly disposed slots at their outer ends, and-a tubular rail longitudinally slotted at its ends providing segmental tongues which are disposed through said segmental slots in said bracket members and folded upon the outer sides thereof clamping the said brackets against the spaced shoulders provided by the inner ends of the slots.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnessess.

RAYMOND IVAN GRAF. [1,. s.]

Witnesses:

'JAY MATTESON,

HARRY E. BERGSTROM. 

